Patent application title: Sectioned tabloid printing press and method

Abstract:

A method for making a tabloid printed product is provided. At least one
first web of material is printed, the at least one first web of material
is slit to define a first ribbon bundle and a second ribbon bundle. The
first ribbon bundle is then folded longitudinally. The first ribbon
bundle is cut into defined lengths. The second ribbon bundle is cut
unfolded into the defined lengths. The first and second ribbon bundles
are combined with the first ribbon bundles being folded and the second
ribbon bundles being unfolded. The second ribbon bundle is longitudinally
folded over the first folded bundle after the combining step to form a
sectioned tabloid newspaper. Tabloid printing presses are also provided.

Claims:

1. A method for making a tabloid printed product comprising the steps
of:printing at least one first web of material, the at least one first
web of material being slit to define a first ribbon bundle and a second
ribbon bundle;folding the first ribbon bundle longitudinally;cutting the
first ribbon bundle into defined lengths;cutting the second ribbon bundle
unfolded into the defined lengths;combining the first and second ribbon
bundles with the first ribbon bundles being folded and the second ribbon
bundles being unfolded; andlongitudinally folding the second ribbon
bundle over the first folded bundle after the combining step to form a
sectioned tabloid newspaper.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the combining occurs before
the cutting of the first ribbon bundle.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the combining occurs after the
cutting of the first ribbon.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second ribbon
bundles have different widths to form an indexed product.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second ribbon bundle
defines an outer section for the tabloid newspaper, and the first ribbon
bundles are collected to define separate interior sections of the tabloid
newspaper.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the printing includes printing
two successive different images on the web for each rotation of a plate
cylinder, and further comprising, after the cutting step, diverting
alternating signatures so as to stack alternating signatures on top of
one another.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second ribbon
bundles are printed with different print units.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one web defines a
third ribbon bundle, the third ribbon bundle being folded longitudinally
and being combined with the first ribbon bundle after folding.

9. A tabloid printing press comprising:at least one print unit printing at
least one web to define a first ribbon bundle, a second ribbon bundle and
a third ribbon bundle;a first and a second former board;the first and
second ribbon bundles being folded longitudinally by the first and second
former boards, respectively;a bypass guide roller, the third ribbon
bundle passing over the bypass guide roller to recombine in an unfolded
state with the folded first and second ribbon bundles;a cutter cutting
the recombined ribbon bundles into signatures; anda longitudinal folder,
downstream of the cutter, folding the third ribbon bundle longitudinally.

10. A tabloid printing press comprising:at least one print unit printing
at least one web to define a first ribbon bundle and a second ribbon
bundle;a first former board;the first ribbon bundle being folded
longitudinally by the first former board;a first cutter cutting the first
ribbon bundle into first signatures;a second cutter cutting the second
ribbon bundle into second signatures; anda conveyor receiving the second
signatures in an unfolded state and the first signatures in a folded
state on top of the second signatures; anda folder folding the combined
first and second signatures longitudinally.

[0003]U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,003 discloses a method and a device for
producing multi-layered newspaper with so-called tabloid sections. A
number of paper webs, which number is variable, is admixed to the one or
more webs that are provided with a longitudinal separation cut and which
are fed to the one longitudinal former.

[0004]U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0221076 discloses a 3
by 2 tabloid printing press that includes a plate cylinder having a
straight across lock-up and a blanket cylinder contacting the plate
cylinder; a blanket cylinder printing a web; and a folder superstructure
having at least one slitter for slitting the web into three ribbons and a
folder for forming a tabloid newspaper from the three ribbons.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]The present invention provides a method for making a tabloid printed
product. At least one first web of material is printed, the at least one
first web of material is slit to define a first ribbon bundle and a
second ribbon bundle. The first ribbon bundle is then folded
longitudinally. The first ribbon bundle is cut into defined lengths. The
second ribbon bundle is cut unfolded into the defined lengths. The first
and second ribbon bundles are combined with the first ribbon bundles
being folded and the second ribbon bundles being unfolded. The second
ribbon bundle is longitudinally folded over the first folded bundle after
the combining step to form a sectioned tabloid newspaper.

[0006]The present invention also provides a tabloid printing press. The
tabloid printing press includes at least one print unit printing at least
one web to define a first ribbon bundle, a second ribbon bundle and a
third ribbon bundle and a first and a second former board. The first and
second ribbon bundles are folded longitudinally by the first and second
former boards, respectively. The tabloid printing press also includes a
bypass guide roller, the third ribbon bundle passes over the bypass guide
roller to recombine in an unfolded state with the folded first and second
ribbon bundles. A cutter cuts the recombined ribbon bundles into
signatures and a longitudinal folder, downstream of the cutter, folds the
third ribbon bundle longitudinally.

[0007]The present invention further provides a tabloid printing press. The
tabloid printing press includes at least one print unit printing at least
one web to define a first ribbon bundle and a second ribbon bundle, a
first former board, the first ribbon bundle being folded longitudinally
by the first former board and a first cutter cutting the first ribbon
bundle into first signatures. A second cutter cuts the second ribbon
bundle into second signatures and a conveyor receives the second
signatures in an unfolded state and the first signatures in a folded
state on top of the second signatures. A folder folds the combined first
and second signatures longitudinally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be elucidated
with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 shows a printing press according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention;

[0010]FIGS. 2A through 4B show alternate possibilities for plate cylinders
of the printing press shown in FIG. 1 and images printed by the plate
cylinders;

[0011]FIG. 5 shows a printed product before a final in-line fold;

[0012]FIG. 6 shows an indexed printed product;

[0013]FIG. 7 shows another preferred embodiment of a printing press
according to the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 8 shows a 120 page printed product in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0015]FIGS. 9 and 10 show printed products collected on a conveyor of the
printing press shown in FIG. 1.

[0017]Printing section 20 prints on web 12 running through press 100.
After printing, slitter 40 slits web 12 into a plurality of ribbons, for
example, five ribbons 12R1, 12R2, 12R3, 12R4,
12R5 Ribbons 12R1, 12R2, 12R3, 12R4, 12R5
are then recombined with each other to form a ribbon bundle 12B and
pass over guide roller 50 and transported downstream to cutter 70 where
ribbon bundle 12B is combined with further printed ribbon bundles.

[0018]Printing section 22 prints on web 16 running through press 100.
After printing, slitter 42 slits web 16 into a plurality of ribbons, for
example, four ribbons 16R1, 16R2, 16R3, 16R4. Ribbons
16R1, 16R2, 16R3, 16R4 are then recombined with each
other to form a ribbon bundle 16B which is longitudinally folded by
folding former 62. Folded ribbon bundle 16B is then transported
downstream to cutter 70.

[0019]Printing section 24 prints on web 14 running through press 100.
After printing, slitter 44 slits web 14 into a plurality of ribbons, for
example, five ribbons 14R1, 14R2, 14R3, 14R4,
14R5 Ribbons 14R1, 14R2, 14R3, 14R4, 14R5
are then recombined with each other to form a ribbon bundle 14B
which is longitudinally folded by folding former 60. Folded ribbon bundle
14B is then transported downstream to cutter 70 where it is
recombined with folded ribbon bundle 16B and ribbon bundle 12B.
The number of ribbons formed by webs 12, 16 and 14 may be altered and may
vary depending upon the number of pages desired in a final printed
product. In addition, ribbon bundles 12B, 16B, 14B may
have the same or varying widths. By varying the widths of ribbon bundles
12B, 16B, 14B, a tabbed or indexed sectioned tabloid may
be formed. See FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0020]Ribbon bundles 12B, 16B and 14B are cut by cutter 70
to form signatures to form signatures 102A, 102B. Signatures 102A, 102B
are then transported to diverters 80, 82, 84, 86, for example by a
conveyor 94.

[0021]Diverter 80 can divert every other signature 102B and deposit
signatures 102A onto conveyor 90 forming printed products 110. Signatures
102A include images A printed by printing plate 33 shown in FIGS. 3A and
3B. Diverter 82 then deposits signatures 102B on top of printed products
110 to form printed products 112. Signatures 102B include images B
printed by printing plate 35 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Thus, printed
products 112 include both images A and images B derived from printing
plate 33 and printing plate 35. Printed products 112 are further
transported to a folding cylinder 92 for an inline fold. Ribbon 12 and
second ribbon 12' are both folded over top of second ribbon 14' to form a
sectioned printed product 114. Printed product 114 is shown in more
detail in FIG. 10.

[0022]As shown in FIG. 1, an extra set of diverters 84, 86 may be used to
deposit printed products 110, 112 onto conveyor 90, in which case
diverters 80, 82 only need to deposit every fourth signature. The extra
diverters may be desirable so folder 92 may be operated at a slower
speed, for example half speed.

[0023]As shown in FIGS. 1, 9, printed product 110, formed from signature
102A, has an arrangement including, for example, ribbon bundle 14B
which has been longitudinally folded and deposited on top of ribbon
bundle 16B which has been longitudinally folded and deposited on top
of ribbon bundle 12B which was not longitudinally folded.

[0024]As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, printed product 112, formed from
signatures 102A and 102B, includes the same arrangement as printed
product 110 and a second ribbon bundle 14B' which has been
longitudinally folded and deposited on top of a second ribbon 16B'
which has been longitudinally folded and deposited on top of a second
ribbon 12B' which was not longitudinally folded. Sectioned printed
product 114 is formed when folding cylinder 92 folds ribbon bundles
12B, 12B' as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8.

[0025]FIG. 2A shows a preferred embodiment of printing cylinder 32
carrying one printing plate 33 with an image A, with for example 4 or 5
unfolded page images axially. A web printed with this image A can for
example be slit, for example into four or five ribbons, and after
folding, form a sixteen or twenty page tabloid newspaper section. FIG. 2B
shows one revolution of printing cylinder 32 in accordance with the FIG.
2A embodiment. FIG. 3A shows another preferred embodiment of printing
cylinder 32 carrying two printing plates 33, 35, also shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3B shows one revolution of printing cylinder 32 printing image A and
image B on the web in accordance with the FIG. 3A embodiment. A web
printed with images A and B for example also can be slit into several
ribbons to form tabloid sections as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4A shows
printing cylinder 32 carrying four printing plates 33, 35, 37, 39. FIG.
4B shows one revolution of printing plate 32 in accordance with the FIG.
4A embodiment. A web printed with images A, B, C and D may also be slit
into a plurality of ribbons to form tabloid sections.

[0026]By varying the width of ribbon bundles 12B, 14B, 16B,
a final printed product preferably may be tabbed or indexed as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6. Ribbon bundle 12B may have a width w1. Ribbon
bundle 14B may have a width w2 which is greater than w1,
thus ribbon bundle 14B extends past ribbon bundle 12B when both
products are longitudinally folded in half. The difference between
w2 and w1 creates a first tab T1. First tab T1 can be
used for example, to help a reader differentiate between sections of a
newspaper and/or for advertising. Similarly, ribbon bundle 16B has a
width w3 which is greater than width w2 of ribbon bundle 144B,
thus forming a second tab T2. However, the widths w1, w2
and w3 may be similar in alternative preferred embodiments.

[0027]FIG. 7 shows another preferred embodiment of a printing press 200
according to the present invention. Printing press 200 includes printing
sections 220, 220', each having four printing units 222, 224, 226, 228.
Each printing unit includes two print couples 230. Each print couple 230
includes a plate cylinder 232 and blanket cylinder 234. The plate
cylinders 232 may be, for example, carrying four printing plates or be
imaged with four images around as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. A web 210 is
printed by printing section 220 and passed over guide roller 250 to
cutter 271 downstream. Cutter 271 cuts web 212 into signatures 312.
Signatures are then transported to diverters 281, 283, 285, 287 via a
conveyor. Diverters 281, 283, 285, 287 deposit signatures on conveyor
290. Each signature 312 deposited by a diverter corresponds to a printing
plate as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Thus, signatures 312 printed with
image A are deposited by diverter 281 onto conveyor 290 while signatures
312' printed with image B are deposited by diverter 283 on top of
signatures 312. Signatures 312'' printed with image C are deposited by
diverter 285 on top of signatures 312' and signatures 312''' printed with
image D are deposited on top of signatures 312'' by diverter 287.

[0028]A second printing section 220' in printing press 200 may be similar
to printing section 220 as previously described. Printing section 220'
prints a web 212. Folded web 210 is cut into folded signatures 314 by
cutting cylinders 270 and deposited on top of signatures 312''' by
diverters 280, 282, 284, 286 as signatures 312''' travel down conveyor
290. A folding cylinder 292 performs an in-line fold and folds signatures
312, 312', 312'', 312''' over top of signatures 314.

[0029]FIG. 8 shows a 120 page printed product 114. Printed product 114
includes five sections. Sections 402 and 404 each include 20 pages.
Sections 406 and 408 each include 16 pages. Section 410 includes 48
pages. In printed product 400, it may be advantageous for sections 402
and 408 to have tabs extending beyond section 410 and for sections 404
and 406 to have tabs extending beyond sections 402 and 408, respectively.

[0030]By changing the number of formers, diverters and ribbons or webs
numerous sections may be produced and the number of pages and sections
may be varied as desired. By varying the width of the ribbons, tabloid
sections may be tabbed or indexed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0031]If the printing press were wide enough, the printed web could be
slit into two webs before the sections were formed.

[0032]In an alternative embodiment, multiple webs each having a different
width may be combined, or any combination of slitting a web into ribbons
and using multiple webs may be used.

[0033]In the preceding specification, the invention has been described
with reference to specific exemplary embodiments and examples thereof. It
will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be
made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and
drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner rather
than a restrictive sense.